An American National Standard
Designation: D 2035 – 80 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Coagulation-Flocculation Jar Test of Water1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2035; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers a general procedure for the evalu-
ation of a treatment to reduce dissolved, suspended, colloidal,
and nonsettleable matter from water by chemical coagulation-
flocculation, followed by gravity settling. The procedure may
be used to evaluate color, turbidity, and hardness reduction.
1.2 The practice provides a systematic evaluation of the
variables normally encountered in the coagulation-flocculation
process.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1192 Specification for Equipment for Sampling Water
and Steam in Closed Conduits3
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
D 1889 Test Method for Turbidity of Water
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
tice, refer to Terminology D 1129.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on Sampling of Water and
Water-Formed Deposits, Analysis of Water for Power Generation and Process Use,
On-Line Water Analysis, and Surveillance of Water.
Current edition approved July 3, 1980. Published October 1980. Originally
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 1980 as D 2035–80.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The coagulation-flocculation test is carried out to deter-
mine the chemicals, dosages, and conditions required to
achieve optimum results. The primary variables to be investi-
gated using the recommended practice include, but are not
limited to:
4.1.1 Chemical additives,
4.1.2 pH,
4.1.3 Temperature, and
4.1.4 Order of addition and mixing conditions.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice permits the evaluation of various coagu-
lants and coagulant aids used in the treatment of water and
waste water for the same water and the same experimental
conditions.
5.2 The effects of concentration of the coagulants and
coagulant aids and their order of addition can also be evaluated
by this practice.
6. Interferences
6.1 There are some possible interferences that may make the
determination of optimum jar test conditions difficult. These
include the following:
6.1.1 Temperature Change (During Test)—Thermal or con-
vection currents may occur, interfering with the settling of
coagulated particles. This can be prevented by temperature
control.
6.1.2 Gas Release (During Test)—Flotation of coagulated
floc may occur due to gas bubble formation caused by
mechanical agitator, temperature increase or chemical reaction.
6.1.3 Testing-Period— Biological activity or other factors
may alter the coagulation characteristics of water upon pro-
longed standing. For this reason the period between sampling
and testing should be kept to a minimum, with the time being
recorded.
 D 2035 – 80 (2003)

FIG. 1 Reagent Rack for Multiple Stirrer Jar Test Apparatus

7. Apparatus 8.3 The following chemicals and additives are typical of

7.1 Multiple Stirrer— A multiposition stirrer with continu- those used for test solutions and suspensions. The latter, with
ous speed variation from about 20 to 150 rpm should be used. the exception of coagulant aids, may be prepared daily by
The stirring paddles should be of light gage corrosion-resistant mixing chemicals with water to a concentration of 10 (60.1)
material all of the same configuration and size. An illuminated g/L (1.0 mL of test solution or suspension when added to 1 L
base is useful to observe the floc formation. Precautionary of sample is equivalent to 10 mg/L):
measures should be taken to avoid heat being imparted by the Prime Coagulants
illumination system which may counteract normal settling. Alum[Al2(SO4)3·18H2O]
Ferric sulfate [Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O]
7.2 Jars (or Beakers), all of the same size and shape; Ferric chloride (FeCl3·6H2O)
1500-mL Griffin beakers may be used (1000-mL recommended Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O)
minimum size). Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3·3H2O)
Sodium aluminate (NaAlO2)
7.3 Reagent Racks— A means of introducing each test Coagulant Aids
solution to all jars simultaneously. There should be at least one Activated silica
rack for each test solution or suspension. The racks should be Anionic (polyelectrolyte)
Cationic (polyelectrolyte)
similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Nonionic Polymer
Oxidizing Agents
Chlorine (Cl2)
8. Reagents
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2)
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be Potassium permanganate (KMnO4)
Calcium hypochlorite [CaCl(ClO)·4H2O]
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- Alkalis
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, Calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Dolomitic lime
where such specifications are available.4 Other grades may be (58 % CaO, 40 % MgO)
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of Lime, hydrated [Ca(OH)2]
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the Magnesium oxide (MgO)
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
accuracy of the determination. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
8.2 Purity of Water— Unless otherwise indicated, reference Weighting Agents
to water for reagent preparation shall be understood to mean Bentonite
Kaolin
Type IV reagent water conforming to Specification D 1193. Other clays and minerals
Miscellaneous
Activated carbon (powdered)

4
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
MD.
8.4 Coagulant Aids— There are numerous commercially
available coagulant aids or polyelectrolytes. All polyelectro-
lytes are classified anionic, cationic or nonionic, depending
upon their composition. These aids may have the ability to
produce large, tough, easily-settled floc when used alone or in

2
 D 2035 – 80 (2003)
conjunction with inorganic coagulants. A small dosage (under
1 mg/L) may permit a reduction in the dosage of, or complete
elimination of, the coagulant. In the latter case, the polyelec-
trolyte would be considered the prime coagulant rather than a
coagulant aid. Aids come in powdered and liquid form.
Powdered aids should be prepared as 0.1 % solutions with
appropriate aliquots to provide proper dosage. Always add
powdered aids to the dissolving water rather than the reverse,
and add slowly to the shoulder of a vortex created by stirring.
If a vortex is not formed, the dry powder will merely collect on
the surface of the water in gummy masses and become very
difficult to dissolve. Dissolving time may vary from several
minutes to several hours. Suggested manufacturers’ procedures
for wetting, dissolving, and storing should be followed when
available. Liquid forms can be readily prepared to the above
strength without difficulty.5
9. Sampling
9.1 Collect the water sample under test in accordance with
the applicable Specification D 1192 and Practices D 3370.
10. Procedure
10.1 Measure equal volumes (1000 mL) of sample into
each of the jars or 1500-mL Griffin beakers. As many sample
portions may be used as there are positions on the multiple
stirrer. Locate beakers so that the paddles are off-center, but
clear the beaker wall by about 6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.). Record the
sample temperature at the start of the test.
10.2 Load the test chemicals in the reagent racks. Use one
rack for each series of chemical additions. Make up each tube
in the rack to a final volume of 10 mL, with water, before
using. There may be a situation where a larger volume of
reagent will be required. Should this condition prevail, fill all
tubes with water to a volume equal to the largest volume of
reagent in the reagent rack. When adding slurries, it may be
necessary to shake the rack to produce a swirling motion just
prior to transfer.
10.3 Start the multiple stirrer operating at the “flash mix”
speed of approximately 120 rpm. Add the test solution or
suspensions, at predetermined dosage levels and sequence.
5
A periodically updated “Report on Coagulant Aids for Water Treatment” is
published by the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water Supply,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, listing coagulant aids that may be used in water treatment
without adverse physiological effects on those using the water, based on information
submitted by the manufacturers or distributors, or both.
3
Flash mix for approximately 1 min after the additions of
chemicals. Record the flash mix time and speed (rpm).
10.4 Reduce the speed as necessary to the minimum re-
quired to keep floc particles uniformly suspended throughout
the “slow mix” period. Slow mix for 20 min. Record the time
for the first visible floc formation. Every 5 min (during the
slow mix period), record relative floc size and mixer speed
(rpm). If coagulant aids are used, mixing speed is critical
because excessive stirring tends to break up early floc forma-
tion and may redisperse the aid.
10.5 After the slow mix period, withdraw the paddles and
observe settling of floc particles. Record the time required for
the bulk of the particles to settle. In most cases this time will
be that required for the particles to settle to the bottom of the
beaker; however, in some cases there may be interfering
convection currents. If so, the recorded settling time should be
that at which the unsettled or residual particles appear to be
moving equally upward and downward.
10.6 After 15 min of settling, record the appearance of floc
on the beaker bottom. Record the sample temperature. By
means of a pipet or siphon, withdraw an adequate sample
volume of supernatant liquor from the jar at a point one half of
the depth of the sample, to conduct color,6 turbidity, pH and
other required analyses, (Note 1) determined in accordance
with Test Methods D 1889 and D 1293. A suggested form for
recording results is appended (see Fig. 2).
NOTE 1—Tests for residual chemicals should be included, for example,
alum; residual Al2O3; copperas; residual Fe2O 3; etc.
10.7 Repeat steps 10.1-10.6 until all pertinent variables
have been evaluated.
10.8 The times given in 10.3, 10.4, and 10.6 are only
suggestions.
11. Reproducibility
11.1 It is recognized that reproducibility of results is impor-
tant. To demonstrate reproducibility, the so-called 3 and 3
procedure is suggested. In this procedure, duplicate sets of 3
jars each are treated simultaneously with the same chemical
dosages in jars 1 and 4, 2 and 5, and 3 and 6.
12. Keywords
12.1 coagulation; flocculation; jar tests
6
For the color determination, reference is made to Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Waste Water, Fourteenth edition, American Public Health
Association, Inc., New York, NY, 1975, pp. 64–71.
 D 2035 – 80 (2003)

FIG. 2 Jar Test Data

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